Mission to Thailand and Myanmar reinforces Flanders’ ties with Southeast Asia

  • March 28, 2013

Flemish minister-president Kris Peeters visited Thailand on 21 March 2013 as part of a Belgian princely mission, after which he led a political and economic mission to Myanmar from 23 to 26 March. He expressed his hope that this mission would provide more support to the democratisation process of in Myanmar. Flanders wants to strengthen and reinforce its links with Myanmar. Minister-president Peeters political contacts included meetings with the President of Myanmar and the Ministers for Health, Transport and the Environment. During the missions to Thailand and Myanmar, the minister-president also focused on reinforcing existing economic relations and creating commercial contacts. In this regard, he led a business delegation supported by Flanders Investment and Trade (FIT).

In Bangkok (Thailand), minister-president Peeters met with two major Thai business groups with the intention of opening doors for Flemish suppliers. He also visited the Sea Farming Learning Center, a cooperation initiative between the Thailand Department of Fisheries and the UGhent aimed at highlighting the importance of aquaculture (fish farms).

In Myanmar, there were at least five cooperation agreements signed with Flemish companies, following the first mission by the minister-president to Myanmar in March 2012. The new “FIT antenna” office in Myanmar was also officially opened during this mission. This new office will provide support to Flemish companies that want to do business in Myanmar. In doing so, FIT offers them the chance to identify opportunities first-hand, making it easier to map the extensive opportunities that Myanmar has to offer.

In the capital of Nay Pyi Taw, minister-president Peeters had political contacts with the President and the Ministers for Health, Transport and the Environment.

With this four-day mission to Myanmar, organised by Flanders Investment and Trade and the Flemish Department of Foreign Affairs, minister-president Peeters also supported the process of democratisation in Myanmar.